Puri: The 13th edition of the monthly Puri Heritage Walk (PHW) successfully delved into the city’s rich Ayurvedic traditions, drawing over 40 heritage enthusiasts from across Odisha. The walk, held yesterday, focused on the profound role of ancient Ayurveda in healthcare and explored monasteries on the historic Clarke Road.
The highlight of the walk was a visit to the historic Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Odisha’s first Ayurveda college, established in 1949. Participants engaged in a discussion on Ayurveda’s diverse treatment systems, often likened to the life-restoring “Sanjīvanī,” and observed traditional methods of treatment still practiced at the institution. The walk included visits to various departments such as “Dravyaguṇa” and the college’s herbal garden, where chronic ailments are still being cured through ancient remedies.
In a show of appreciation, the organizers of the Heritage Walk felicitated eminent faculty members of the college, including Dr. Sonalika Jena, Dr. Rajib Kishore Jena, Dr. Padmalochan Nayak, and Dr. Swarnakanta Jena. Participants also paid homage to the invaluable contributions of ancient Indian physicians Maharshi Suśruta and Charaka.
Later, the group explored the monastic heritage of Clarke Road, visiting the Siddha Brahmachari Mutt, founded in 1428, and the Gandharva Mutt. Here, they learned about spiritual practices and the manuscripts of “Mahapurusha Achyutananda,” one of the Panchasakha saints.
Eminent historian Surendra Mishra and heritage researcher Debi Prasanna Nanda guided the participants, highlighting the contributions of the Panchasakha saints and noting that the famed “Gochhanda Vata” at Gandharva Mutt is one of Srikshetra’s seven heritage banyan trees. The walk concluded with a visit to the Maa Jhadeshwari temple.
The 13th PHW was coordinated by convenors Biswaranjan Dehury and Dr. Kumar Aurojyoti, with co-convenor Ashoka Manjari Nayak, and saw participation from students of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Burla University, and SCS College.